MM570 Applied Statistics For Psychology

Unit 6 Project: Descriptive Statistics

This is a course level assessment assignment. MM570-2: Compare group means with a single or multiple independent variables using the appropriate statistical test.

Rubric for Unit 6 Assignment

MM570 Unit 6 Assignment Grading Rubric

Point Possible

Grading Criteria

A: 153 – 170 points

Student work demonstrates mastery of the objectives assessed by the Assignment. This is evidenced by at least the following:

· The selection of the statistical procedure(s) is/are the most appropriate ones for answering the questions; specifically, the correct t-test is selected for each question.

· The statistical procedure was calculated correctly using SPSS.

· The interpretation of the SPSS output is correct and complete, including applying the Sig. (2-tailed) p-value to determine null hypothesis rejection.

· The results of the statistical analyses are presented in easy to understand, non-statistical language that addresses the research question.

· SPSS output that is not needed in the solution is not included. Only appropriate SPSS output are included.

· Each step of the hypothesis testing procedure is included, including the statement of the hypothesis, inclusion of the null and alternative hypothesis Ho and Ha, results from the hypothesis t-test, and complete clearly written conclusions.

Your Name:

For this Project, you will use the “Statistics Class” dataset called Stat_Grades.sav, which can be found in the Doc Sharing area under the Graded Projects category. This same “Statistics Class” dataset is used for all the class projects. The Stat_Grades.sav dataset contains data collected about students in three sections of a statistics class taught by an instructor. You will also use SPSS for this project.

HINTS AND HELP

Note: When asked to include the interpretation of the results and final conclusions, be sure to include all results, an interpretation of the meaning of the results, and final conclusions that a common person can understand. Make sure you use complete sentences, paragraph form (single spacing), proper grammar, and correct spelling. Minimal or incomplete responses can lose points. Include any SPSS results that you use, but do not include SPSS results that are not part of your solution.

Hint: You are asked to determine “appropriate” tests and methods, and to make calculations. This means that you will have to determine which tests or methods are best and why.

Rememberto always show all of your work and each of your steps.

For each hypothesis testing question, follow the appropriate steps.

1) Write the hypothesis

2) Construct the Ho and Ha clearly and appropriately. Note the means you are comparing.

3) Run the appropriate SPSS test and include the appropriate results

4) Explain and evaluate the SPSS results

5) Write a complete and paragraph form conclusion that can be understood by a normal non-statistical person.

Use the Live Binder for further assistance. There is a link to the Live Binder under every Unit.

Place all answers, work, and graphs in this document.

Use alpha = .05 for all hypothesis testing questions.

** Please use non-directional two-tailed tests for these questions (not one-tailed tests).

1. Recall that the dataset, Stat_grades.sav, contains data for a sample of 105 statistics students. One of the variables in this dataset is called, gender. This variable is either “1” for “Female”, or “2” for “Male”. The Instructor is wondering if gender affects student performance as measured using Final Course Percentage (called Percent) . Using the appropriate statistical test, methods, and evaluations, determine if Gender made a significant difference in Final Exam Points. Be sure to include each step of the process, any SPSS results used, an interpretation of the results, and the final conclusions.

(a) What is the hypothesis being tested here?

(b) What are Ho and Ha?

(d) What are the results of the test? What is the p-value and is it larger or smaller than the alpha value – show your work and explain the result.

(e) Write a conclusion for the above in plain English so that any person could understand. What can you say about gender and its effect on overall performance?

2. Based on many years of past classes and experience, the Instructor for the students in the Stat_Grades.sav dataset has determined that a successful mean value for the Quiz 5 is 8.5 points. Does the Quiz 5 for the students in Stat_Grades.sav differ significantly from the known success value of 8.5 points? Use and include the appropriate statistical test, methods, and evaluations. Be sure to include each step of the process, any SPSS results used, an interpretation of the results, and final conclusions.

(a) What is the hypothesis being tested here?

(b) What are Ho and Ha?

(d) What are the results of the test? What is the p-value? Compare the p value to alpha and note the result.

(e) Explain the conclusion in plain English so that any person could understand. Did the students in Stat_Grades.sav do significantly differently than the given population mean? How did they do and what did you find. Explain.

3. Using the Stat_Grades.sav dataset, compare Quiz 4 and Quiz 5 and determine if there is a statistically significant difference in the average student performance between these two quizzes. Use and include the appropriate statistical test, methods, and evaluations. Be sure to include each step of the process, any SPSS results used, an interpretation of the results, and final conclusions.

(a) What is the hypothesis being tested here?

(b) What are Ho and Ha?

(d) What are the results of the test? What is the p-value? Compare the p value to alpha and note the result.

(e) Explain the result and conclusion of the test in plain English so that any person could understand.

4. Use the following SPSS output to answer these questions. The hypothesis here is: “Is there a significant difference in Total Points between the two gender groups?”

(a) What is Ho and Ha?

(b) What t-test is being used?

(d) Using alpha at .05, what is the result of this test?

(e) Write the full conclusion for this test in plain English for normal people.

(f) How many males are in this sample of data? Is the mean points for males different than for females? Is it significantly different? What does it mean to be significantly different (versus just different)?

Submitting your Project

Make sure your name is on your Project and saved to your computer. When you are ready to submit your completed Project, click on the Dropbox and complete the steps below:

• Click the link that says “Submit an Assignment.”

• In the “Submit to Basket” menu, select Unit 6: Project.

• In the “Comments” field, include your name and Unit 6 Project.

• Click the “Add Attachments” button.

• Follow the steps listed to attach your Word document.

• You should revisit the Dropbox to view any helpful feedback your instructor has left for you.

• Make sure that you save a copy of your submitted and returned assignment.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

LopesWrite Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
- Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
- Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.

MM570 Applied Statistics For Psychology

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